While Li Auto initially made a name for itself with its range-extended hybrid models, the past two years have seen it step up its transition to pure electric vehicles (EVs). Alongside the Li MEGA, a pure electric MPV, Li Auto now offers two pure electric SUV models: the Li i6 and the Li i8, both of which fall into the mid-to-large SUV category.

When it comes to sales performance, the results have been a mixed bag. The Li MEGA needs little introduction—its launch was marked by a highly distinctive exterior design that sparked considerable controversy and even online backlash. Coupled with a price tag exceeding 500,000 yuan for a pure electric MPV, its sales performance has, quite frankly, not been particularly impressive.

Taking a closer look at the sales data over the past six months, April stands out as the best-performing month, with 670 units sold. However, from June to August, sales failed to surpass 350 units for three months in a row. As for the Li i8, despite experiencing consecutive month-over-month growth in July and August, monthly sales still did not exceed 2,000 units. In the first eight months of this year, among pure electric models priced above 300,000 yuan in China, the Li i8 ranked 15th in sales—a result that is unlikely to satisfy Li Auto's founder, Li Xiang.

When we shift our focus to models priced above 200,000 yuan in China, the Li i6 fares much better. In the first eight months of this year, it ranked second among pure electric models in this price range, just behind the Tesla Model Y. Close behind are the Xiaomi YU7 and Xiaomi SU7 models, a testament to the Li i6's strong sales performance.

Comparing the Li i8 and i6, it might initially seem that the i8's higher price is the main reason for its poor sales. However, a deeper analysis reveals that the situation is more nuanced. Several key factors come into play. Firstly, when the Li i8 was first launched, the entry-level model's configuration was notably lacking, even omitting a front trunk. Secondly, compared to 5-seater pure electric SUVs, the market demand for 6-seater models is not as robust. Thirdly, and perhaps most crucially, many users who opted out of the Li i8 chose the more affordably priced and "more sincere in terms of value" Li i6 instead.

Having examined the sales performance of Li Auto's three current pure electric models, let's turn our attention to the upcoming new pure electric SUV, the Li i9.

On September 10th, Li Auto officially announced that the new Li i9 will be available in stores nationwide, with test drives commencing after the product launch event on September 16th. This large pure electric SUV is set to become Li Auto's flagship pure electric model upon its launch, with a price range of 400,000 to 500,000 yuan.

In terms of dimensions, the Li i9 measures 5,225 mm in length, 1,970 mm in width, and 1,752 mm in height, boasting a wheelbase of 3,168 mm—longer than that of the Li L9. It features a spacious 2+2+2 six-seater layout. All six seats in the vehicle are equipped with ventilation, heating, and massage functions, and it also includes a rear-seat entertainment screen and an onboard refrigerator. The new model will also come with dual-layer soundproof privacy glass, and it is rumored that its NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) performance will rival that of luxury vehicles costing over a million yuan.

Notably, in terms of design, the second-row seats continue the rotating zero-gravity seats from the Li MEGA, featuring a 45-degree welcome mode, a 90-degree scenic viewing mode, and a 180-degree face-to-face seating mode. The vehicle will also be equipped with a floating tray table, offering strong practicality. When the seats are folded down, they can be fully recessed to create a completely flat floor.

In terms of powertrain, the Li i9 will be equipped with a ternary lithium battery with a capacity exceeding 100 kWh, offering a maximum pure electric range of 705 kilometers. With 800-volt high-voltage fast charging, it can replenish 400 kilometers of range in just 10 minutes. Facing strong competitors like the NIO ES8 and Seres M9 pure electric versions, will the Li i9 achieve great success like the Li i6 or follow the path of the Li i8? Let's discuss in the comments section.

Copyright Notice: This article is original content from Che Kuaiping. Reproduction requires explicit permission. Unauthorized reproduction, plagiarism, or misappropriation of text or images in any form is strictly prohibited and will result in legal action. Some images in the article are sourced from the internet, with copyright belonging to the original authors. If your work has been used, please contact us for royalties or removal.